Source: LSD is manufactured from lysergic
acid which occurs naturally in the ergot fungus that grows on wheat
and rye. It is a Schedule I controlled substance, available in liquid,
powder, tablet (microdots), and capsule form. The liquid is often applied
to blotter paper squares (frequently with colorful designs), stickers,
sugar cubes, candy, or soda crackers. LSD is also available in dropper
bottles or in the form of gelatin sheets/shapes (window panes).

Drug Class: Hallucinogen, psychedelic, psychotomimetic.

Medical and Recreational Uses: No medicinal
use. Recreationally used as a hallucinogen and for its ability to alter
human perception and mood.

Potency, Purity and Dose: The strength of illicit LSD nowadays
ranges from 20 to 80 m g per dose, which is considerably less than doses
reported during the 1960s and early 1970s, of 100-200 m g or higher
per unit. Experienced users typically administer 100-200 m g for a “good
high”. The potency of liquid LSD in dropper bottles may vary because
the liquid is water based.

Route of Administration: Primarily oral administration,
but can be inhaled, injected, and transdermally applied.

Pharmacodynamics: LSD is primarily a non-selective
5-HT agonist. LSD may exert its hallucinogenic effect by interacting
with 5-HT 2A receptors as a partial agonist and modulating the NMDA
receptor-mediated sensory, perceptual, affective and cognitive processes.
LSD mimics 5-HT at 5-HT 1A receptors, producing a marked slowing of
the firing rate of serotonergic neurons.

Pharmacokinetics: LSD has a plasma half-life of
2.5-4 hours. Metabolites of LSD include N-desmethyl-LSD, hydroxy-LSD,
2-oxo-LSD, and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD. These metabolites are all inactive.

Interpretation of Blood Concentrations: Threshold
toxic dose in humans has been reported with 100-200 mg with associated
blood concentrations of 2-30 ng/mL. Intravenous doses of 1-2 mg /kg
have been associated with blood concentrations of 1-5 ng/mL LSD. Single
oral doses of 160 mg resulted in peak plasma concentrations of up to
9 ng/mL LSD.

Interpretation of Urine Test Results: LSD use can typically
be detected in urine for periods of 2-5 days. In a reported case of
LSD intoxication, a concentration of 11 ng/mL of LSD was detected in
the urine. In subjects receiving 200-400 mg of LSD, concentrations
in urine ranged from 1-55 ng/mL.

Effects: Effects are unpredictable and will
depend on the dose ingested, the user’s personality and mood,
expectations and the surroundings.

Duration of Effects: Onset of effects is
rapid following intravenous administration (10 minutes). Following oral
ingestion, onset of the first effects are experienced in 20-30 minutes,
peaking at 2-4 hours and gradually diminishing over 6-8 hours. Residual
effects may last longer. Flashbacks may occur suddenly, often without
warning, and may occur within a few days or more than a year after use.

Tolerance, Dependence and Withdrawal Effects: Frequent,
repeated doses of LSD are unusual and therefore tolerance is not commonly
seen. Tolerance does develop to the behavioral effects after 3-4 daily
doses, but no withdrawal syndrome has been described. LSD is not considered
an addictive drug since it does not produce compulsive drug-seeking
behavior.

Drug Interactions: C ross-tolerance with
mescaline and psilocybin has been demonstrated in animal models. LSD
blocks subjective alcohol effects in many subjects. Possible seizures
when concurrently taken with lithium or fluoxetine.

Performance Effects: LSD produces significant
psychedelic effects with doses as little as 25-50 mg. LSD impairs reaction
time (auditory and visual), choice reaction time, and visual acuity
for up to 4 hours. Impaired divided attention, ataxia, and grossly distorted
perception have also been reported following LSD use.

Effects on Driving: Epidemiology studies
suggest the incidence of LSD in driving under the influence cases is
extremely rare. In Denver, Colorado between Jan 1988 to June 1990, 242
drivers detained for driving while impaired were evaluated by drug recognition
examiners; only 1 case of LSD was confirmed following urine toxicology
screens.